sharing my research with you

[Sean W.]

I am going to be upgrading my new ( to me ) computer. currently it has a i7 920, a 9800gt and 6 gigs of ram 850W psu. those are the important specs. as you can see the graphics card is the weak link. i was torn between a single 7970 or SLI 570s... so i did some research and this is what ive found. The price of the 570s are for used cards, the price of the 7970 is MSRP.


7970: $600

37dba
3dmark Vatnage-----------28589
CODMW2 1920x1200-------166fps
BFBC2 1920 x 1200--------75fps
metro 2033 1920 x 1200---44fps



570 SLI : $500

39dba
3dMark vantage-----------35665
CODMW2 1920 x 1200-----230fps
BFBC2 1920 x1200--------103fps
Metro 2033 1920 x 1200---55fps




3dmark vantage: GTX 570 SLI is 24% faster than a single 7970
CODMW2 570: SLI is 38.5% faster than a single 7970
bfbc2 GTX570: sli is 37.3% faster than a single 7970
metro 2033: GTX 570 sli is 22.7% faster than a single 7970



disclamier: all benchmarks were taken from Guru of 3D: PC Hardware Reviews and tests

 

[S0ULphIRE]

Cheers and wow

 

[acerinpa]

Neat stuff- but where can you get two 570 's for $500= $250 each. I got one 560ti (448 core) for about $285 with the rebate. But I could not find any 570's for under $330.

 

[tj_extreme]

Neat stuff- but where can you get two 570 's for $500= $250 each. I got one 560ti (448 core) for about $285 with the rebate. But I could not find any 570's for under $330.

Ebay, Craigslist?

 

[acerinpa]

Possible I guess- but not sure I would buy a high level card like this used - unless you knew the person pretty well or if the seller was from this type of forum with some consequences if it did not work out. The warranties may still work - but what a PAIN - to go thru all that.

 

[Sean W.]

id be buying it off of overclock.net they have a great for sale section!

 

[tj_extreme]

Possible I guess- but not sure I would buy a high level card like this used - unless you knew the person pretty well or if the seller was from this type of forum with some consequences if it did not work out. The warranties may still work - but what a PAIN - to go thru all that.

I only buy from reputable sellers, and I've never had any issues. My entire HTPC was built from Ebay parts.

 

[C0RR0SIVE]

What is the power draw difference between them? Would it really be cheaper in the long run to go with the Nvidia setup?

 

[tj_extreme]

What is the power draw difference between them? Would it really be cheaper in the long run to go with the Nvidia setup?

I looked at some charts, and a single 590 draws more power than a 7970, under load and idle. So, I'd assume 2x 590's in SLI would draw more power than a 7970.

 

[I_Am_Skip]

You gotta remember you can get a 7970 for $550 depending on your location. And obviously there is more upgradability in the future as you have only used one pci lane. And the fact the cards are also new might mean something.